When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 137

The voice on the phone was rough and gravelly, unmistakably a middle-aged man. As soon as he finished speaking, the line went dead.

Brody shot Alan a look. Without a word, Alan got to work tracing the call, but the caller had been smart. The number was fake, impossible to track.

Sheila’s hands were shaking. “He said… he wants us to prepare eighty million in cash…”

“Eighty million?” Tina’s voice shot up an octave. “How is anyone supposed to find that much cash in a few hours?”

She paused, then narrowed her eyes as if a new idea had just hit her. “This is definitely Nelly. Why else would they insist Nelly delivers the money?”

“She wouldn’t do this.” Brody cut in, his eyes cold and sharp. Tina clamped her mouth shut, intimidated.

“Even if it’s not her, she must have gotten us into this mess somehow. She’s always been a magnet for chaos,” Tina grumbled under her breath, still fuming.

Soon, the police arrived. Brody had Alan start getting the money together while the police set up outside the Garland estate and tapped the phone lines. There wasn’t much anyone could do now but chase down leads and wait for the next move. At least, with so little time passed, they could be pretty sure Carrie was still safe.

“Brody, maybe we should talk to Nelly,” Sheila suggested quietly. Brody hadn’t told the police the kidnappers wanted Nelly to do the exchange. But if they wanted answers, Nelly was clearly a key piece. Tina wasn’t completely wrong. Maybe this was all about Nelly. Starting with her might get them somewhere quicker.

Brody just sat there, silent. Sheila tried again. “Carrie’s life is at stake. Are you really so worried about Nelly that you’d risk your own daughter?”

“I’m not worried about her.” Brody finally spoke, his voice flat and cold, like he was forcing himself to stay together. His mind was a mess, but he was still thinking. The kidnapper hadn’t hidden his voice or covered his tracks very well. Asking for Nelly, even though it might give himself away, just didn’t add up.

Still, Brody couldn’t help it. He cared too much. If Nelly found out about Carrie, knowing how she was, she’d blow the whole thing up. Tina would be her first target.

Sheila saw all the conflict written across Brody’s face and let it go.

Two hours slipped by. It was late, the house quiet and tense, when the phone rang again. The police were there, listening in as Brody picked up.

“Hello?”

“How’s the cash?” The voice was cold, impatient.

Brody glanced at the officers. “It isn’t easy to get so much money. We only have about half so far.”

A low, mocking laugh came through the phone. “You must not care about your daughter.”

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